Rotational displays

ABSTRACT

A rotation apparatus includes at least one magnet, and a flexible suspension coupled to the at least one magnet or to a moveable object. The at least one magnet is suspended from the suspension directly or via the moveable object. Moreover, when the flexible suspension causes rotation in a first direction via a force, the at least one magnet alternately rotates in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/368,706, filed Feb. 10, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to rotation apparatus forteaching principles of science, and for use as displays for commercialand non-commercial purposes. In particular, the present invention isdirected toward displays that produce reverse-rotation motion orvariable speed of rotating parts, or both.

2. Description of Related Art

A known, reverse-rotation motion display uses rare earth magnets, suchas neodymium and samarium cobalt, to generate reverse-rotation motion.Nevertheless, such rare earth magnets are more expensive than magnetsthat are not rare earth magnets, which increases the cost ofmanufacturing the display.

Another known display uses a motor that alternates the direction ofrotation at regular intervals to alternate the direction in which thedisplay rotates. Nevertheless, a motor that alternates the direction ofrotation is more expensive than a motor that rotates in a singledirection, which increases the cost of manufacturing the display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for rotation apparatus for teachingprinciples of science, and for other purposes, which overcome these andother shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of thepresent invention is that rare earth magnets may not be included in adisplay. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that amotor may not be included in the display.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rotationapparatus for teaching principles of science comprises a motor, and ashaft coupled to the motor, in which the motor is configured to rotatethe shaft in a first direction. The rotation apparatus also comprises aframe member, and means for coupling the frame member to the shaft, suchthat the frame member is suspended from the shaft, wherein the means forcoupling comprises a flexible suspension. Moreover, the rotationalapparatus comprises at least one non-rare earth magnet coupled to theframe member. When the motor rotates the shaft in the first directionthe at least one non-rare earth magnet causes the frame member toalternately rotate in the first direction and in a second directionopposite the first direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rotationapparatus for teaching principles of science comprises a frame member,and a flexible suspension coupled to the frame member, in which theframe member is suspended from the flexible suspension. The rotationalapparatus also comprises at least one magnet coupled to the framemember. When the flexible suspension rotates in a first direction via aforce independent from a motor, the at least one magnet causes the framemember to alternately rotate in the first direction and in a seconddirection opposite the first direction.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a rotationapparatus for teaching principles of science comprises at least onemagnet, and a flexible suspension coupled to the at least one magnet, inwhich the at least one magnet is suspended from the flexible suspension.When the flexible suspension rotates in a first direction via a force,the at least one magnet alternately rotates in the first direction andin a second direction opposite the first direction.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, arotation apparatus for teaching principles of science comprises anobject, and a flexible suspension coupled to the object, in which theobject is suspended from the flexible suspension. The rotation apparatusalso comprises at least one magnet coupled to the object. When theflexible suspension rotates in a first direction via a force, the atleast one magnet causes the object to alternately rotate in the firstdirection and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needssatisfied thereby, and the features and technical advantage, thereof,reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an object suspended in a portable standalong with RIGHT and LEFT side stands, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an object suspended in the portablestand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1C isan expanded view; and FIG. 1D is a detail view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motor assembly, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of displays that do not include amotor, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a motor-operated display, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of a display with no motor, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective of a tree with several displays, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective of a rotating tree that rotates severaldisplays, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention and their features and technicaladvantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1A-6B, like numeralsbeing used for like corresponding portions in the various drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-2, a rotation apparatus for teaching principles ofscience, according to an embodiment of the present invention, maycomprise a motor 226, and a shaft 222 which is coupled to motor 226. Inoperation, motor 226 may be configured to rotate shaft 222 in a single,predetermined direction. The rotation apparatus also may comprise aframe member 104, such as a non-magnetic frame member, e.g., a framemember comprising wood, or a magnetic frame member, e.g., a frame membercomprising magnetic steel, and means for coupling frame member 104 toshaft 222. For example, the means for coupling may comprise a flexiblesuspension 120, a first hook 202 connected to each shaft 222 andflexible suspension 120, and a second hook 116 coupled to each offlexible suspension 120 and frame member 104, such that frame member 104is suspended from shaft 222. Moreover, the rotation apparatus maycomprise at least one magnet 106, e.g., a pair of magnets 106, such asat least one non-rare earth magnet, e.g., a pair of non-rare earthmagnets, or at least one rare earth magnet, coupled to frame member 104.For example, each magnet 106 may be connected to a magnetic steel tubemember 115 and may be disposed within an opening 114 formed in framemember 104. In addition, each magnet 106 may have a north pole seekingend and a south pole seeking end, and magnets 106 may be positionedwithin opening 114; such that the north pole seeking end of each magnet106 is aligned with the north pole seeking end of the other magnet 106.

The rotation apparatus also may comprise an object coupled to framemember 104. For example, the object may comprise a ball 102, a flywheel(not shown), a crystal (not shown), an article of clothing (not shown),or the like. In an embodiment, frame member 104 may be positioned withinthe object, such that frame member 104 is not visible to a personviewing the object. Moreover, the rotation apparatus may comprise astand 101, and a support 234 connected to an upper portion of stand 101.In operation, motor 226 may be coupled to shaft 222 and positionedthrough an opening formed in support 234. At the bottom of shaft 222,hook 202 may be connected to suspension 120, which may enter ball 102 byway of hole 112. At the bottom of suspension 120, hook 116 may connectframe 104 to the suspension. The rotation apparatus further may comprisea pair of side stands, such as a pair of non-magnetic side stands, e.g.,a pair of side stands constructed of wood and including pieces ofnon-magnetic material such as brass, which selectively may be positionedon opposite sides of stand 101, such that stand 101 is positionedbetween the side stands.

In operation, when motor 226 is activated, motor 226 causes shaft 222 torotate in the single, predetermined direction at a substantiallyconstant speed. Frame member 104 initially may remain at rest, andsubsequently may begin to rotate in the single, predetermined direction,and the rotation of frame member 104 causes the object to rotate in thesingle, predetermined direction. Nevertheless, subsequently, magnet(s)106 cause frame 104 and the object to alternatively rotate in thepredetermined direction, and a direction opposite the predetermineddirection. Moreover, although shaft 222 rotates at a substantiallyconstant speed, magnet(s) 106 cause the rotational speed of frame member104 and the object to vary.

When the operation of the above-described rotation apparatus initiallyis shown to at least one viewer, the side stands may be positionedadjacent to stand 101. Because the at least one viewer is not aware thatframe 104 is positioned within the object, the at least one viewer mayconclude that the side stands are causing the object to rotate inalternating directions. Nevertheless, the operator of the rotationapparatus subsequently may remove the side stands. The at least oneviewer then may be confused as to why the object is rotating inalternating directions, and may become more open to learning about theprinciples governing the rotation of the object, which increases alikelihood of gaining an understanding of such principles. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the art readily will understand that therotating apparatus may comprise any number of frame members 104 andcorresponding objects. For example, such a rotating apparatus maycomprise multiple frame members 104 and multiply, corresponding objects.

Nevertheless, referring to FIG. 3A, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, torsion may be applied to a suspension without a motor. Forexample, forces external to a display apparatus may be used. Examples ofsuch external forces are magnetic fields other than the Earth's magneticfield, and air currents. One exemplary type of motion may be referred toas a magnetic cushion. Any display that is subjected to an opposingexternal magnet field that is comparable to or stronger than its own mayresult in its frame being abruptly kicked back. Moreover, displayshaving rectangular frames may provide more reverse-rotation motion fromair currents than displays having frames with other shapes, such asframes having circular volumes, e.g., a sphere or a cylinder, becauseair currents slip around such surfaces. As such, in this embodiment,ball 102 may be eliminated, and an object having a shape substantiallycorresponding to the shape of frame 104 may be used.

In FIG. 3A, frame 304 rotates by way of a bearing 302 and a support 300.Three suspensions 120 and three magnets 106′ are shown in FIG. 3A, andmagnets 106′ produce torsion in suspensions 120. Nevertheless, one ormore magnets may be sufficient to cause reverse-rotation motion. A sail306, in cooperation with an AIR STREAM, may cause frame 304 to alwaysmove in the same direction. Nevertheless, magnet(s) 106′ may,periodically, rotate in a reverse direction owing to torsion(s) insuspension(s) 120.

FIG. 3B is substantially the same as FIG. 3A, except that the manner inwhich frame 304 is attached is different. In FIG. 3A, support 300 holdsframe 304 from above, and in FIG. 3B, a support 300′ holds frame 304from below. Both the display of FIG. 3A and the display of FIG. 3B mayproduce similar results, and may comprise one or a plurality of magnets106′.

Both the display of FIG. 3A and the display of FIG. 3B may producesimilar results. For example, the following guidelines may be followed:

-   -   a) when no air currents are present, a display may not rotate        without motor power;    -   b) when sufficient air currents are available, e.g., forced air        coming from a heating and air conditioning outlet or air coming        from an open window, a display may not need a motor;    -   c) a display which operates without a motor may be suspended        from an appropriate attachment point; and    -   d) strong air currents disturb a display's orderly rotation, and        as such, should be avoided.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the present invention, adisplay may comprise a motor, a suspension, and a magnet. In thisembodiment, no frame may be included, and the display may rotate insubstantially a similar manner as a display which comprises frame 104.The display of FIG. 4 also may comprise a hook 402, a motor 226, asuspension 120, and a magnet 106′. Motor 226 may be operated from abattery, or from an electrical outlet.

Referring to FIG. 5, in yet another embodiment of the present invention,the display may be further simplified and may comprise a suspension anda magnet, provided that, as set forth above, an alternative source ofrotation is available. In this embodiment, the suspension may bepositioned at a point midway between the pole surfaces of the magnet,such that the magnet serves as a frame. FIG. 5, shows hook 116,suspension 120, and magnet 106′.

Referring to FIG. 6A, in yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, a display may comprise a stationary object, such as tree 600,and one or more FIG. 4 combinations. A movable object, such as star 604may reverse rotate as a result of forces from motor 226, suspension 120,and magnet 106′.

Referring to FIG. 6B, in yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, a display may comprise an object, such as tree 600 positionedon motor 610, and one or more FIG. 5 combinations. Snowman 606 maycomprise a FIG. 5 display. Multiple individual displays may reverserotate using the approach of FIG. 6B, and all of them may operate as aresult of the rotation of motor 610. Therefore, the individual displays,like FIG. 5, may not include a motor.

The embodiments of the present invention may produce rotationalcharacteristics that result from the parameters selected. Severalfundamental characteristics associated with these displays may comprise:

-   -   Time required for a display, after being turned on, to complete        the initial 360° of rotation.    -   Time required to reverse the direction of rotation.    -   Maximum speed in the forward, and reverse, directions.    -   Total time to repeat the motion that constitutes one display        cycle.

Empirical results showed that displays may operate in a first and seconddirection at motor speeds which are less than 1 and up to motor speedswhich are greater than 100 rpm.

While the invention has been described in connection with exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatother variations and modifications of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart from a consideration of the specification or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andthe described examples are considered merely as exemplary of theinvention, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by theflowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotation apparatus comprising: a moveableobject; a flexible suspension coupled to the moveable object, whereinthe moveable object is suspended from the flexible suspension; and atleast one magnet coupled to the moveable object, wherein, when theflexible suspension causes rotation in a first direction via anon-magnetic force, the at least one magnet applies a magnetic force tothe moveable object to alternately rotate the moveable object in thefirst direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.2. The rotational apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic forceis independent of a motor.
 3. The rotational apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one magnet is a non-rare earth magnet.
 4. Arotation apparatus comprising: at least one magnet; and a flexiblesuspension directly coupled to the at least one magnet, wherein the atleast one magnet is suspended from the suspension, and wherein, when theflexible suspension causes rotation in a first direction via anon-magnetic force, the at least one magnet imparts a magnetic force toalternately rotate the at least one magnet, in response to the magneticforce of the at least one magnet, in the first direction and in a seconddirection opposite the first direction.